Foldable shelf



Dec. 1'5, 1953 v. E. PITON FOLDABLE SHELF Filed Dec. 19, 1950 QW y@ y Patented Dec. 15, V1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FGLDABLE SHELF` Victor E. Piton, Chesterton, Ind.

Application December 19, 1950, Serial No. 201,627

2 Claims. 1

This invention relates generally to wardrobes and more particularly to an improved wardrobe adapted to be attached to a wall or door which may be folded when not in use to simulate a decorative framed picture or mirror.

Wardrobe devices in the form of hooks or shelves intended to be attached to walls have been used heretofore. I-Iowever the prior devices have been either cumbersome unattractive affairs or so flimsily constructed as to be impractical. The wardrobe of this invention is especially adapted for use as an auxiliary to other facilities and will support a relatively large number of coats and hats when in use. When not being used, however, it occupies little space and is out of the Way.

One object of the invention is, therefore, to provide a convertible wardrobe device adapted to be hung on either a wall or a door which is attractive in appearance, particularly when not in use, and which will support relatively large numbers of garments on conventional hangers, storage space being provided for a number of hangers when the device is not in use as a wardrobe.

Another object is to provide a wardrobe which may be folded against the Wall when not in use, having the appearance of a framed photograph, mirror or painting when folded and making the device very suitable for use as an auxiliary Wardrobe.

Another object is to provide a shelf-like wardrobe having a recessed shelf for the storage of hats and other articles, the edge of the shelf being adapted to support a large number of conventional coat hangers in such manner as not to interfere with garments hanging thereon.

Another object is to provide a convenient hanging shelf rack which may be used for clothing freshly ironed but still damp.

Other objects and advantages of the wardrobe of this invention will of course present themselves to those familiar with the art on reading the following specification in conjunction with the drawing' and the appended claims.

In the drawing:

Fig. l is a vertical section showing a preferred embodiment of the wardrobe of this invention supported on a door;

Fig. 2 is a front view of the wardrobe shown partially in section;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged side view of the hinge bracket, shown attached to a wall; and

Fig. 4 is an enlarged front view of the bracket, .shown prior to attachment to the Wall.

A fundamental concept of the wardrobe of this invention is to provide a shelf which is hingedly attached to a wall or other vertical surface. In one position the shelf extends horizontally out from the wall to provide a storage space for hats and the like, the edge being adapted to support a plurality of conventional coat hangers. In a second position the shelf lies flat against the wall. The bottom of the shelf is fiat so that a decorative object such as a print ormirror may be attached thereto, and the sides are beveled to simulate a picture frame.

The wardrobe lll, shown in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawing, comprises a pair of identical brackets I I, a hinged shelf I2, carried by the brackets, and a pair of chains I3, which hold the shelf in a horizontal plane when it is unfolded.

In the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 and 2 the brackets II, are bolted t0 a pair of hooks I4, which hang from the top of a door I5. To avoid marring the door it is preferred to line the hooks with felt (not shown) or other soft material. In Fig. 3, the manner in which the brackets II may be attached directly to the wall by screws I'I, is shown. It is preferred that the spacing of the brackets be sixteen inches so that the screws II may extend through the plaster into the studding for solid support.

The shelf I2 is preferably bent from sheet metal to have the shape shown. However, any suitable material such as wood or plastic may be substituted if desired. When sheet metal is used the hinging of the shelf I2 to the brackets is very simply accomplished by forming a rolled bead I8, around a wire 2B, the beadextending inwardly as shown in Fig.. 1 at the edge of the shelf. At the points of attachment tothe bracket II, relatively Wide slots 2| are cut in the edge of the metal prior to rolling the bead to leave the sides of the rod 20 exposed, and the ends II' of the brackets II are bent around the rod to form a hinge joint or journal 'bearing as shown.

The bottom of the shelf is dished upwardly as indicated at I2a to provide a space in which the print, mirror or lithograph I2b may be cemented or attached.

To hold the shelf I2 in a horizontal position when it is unfolded, a pair of chains I3 is provided. Each chain extends from an eye 22 at the top of the bracket, formed by cutting parallel slots 2'I and bending the portion between outwardly, to a ring 23, which encircles the rod 20 at the front of the shelf I2. The rod 2i] is exposed by slots 24 in the front of the shelf, similar to slots 2 I. Here again the arrangement may be modified if desired, the ends of the-chains being attached to the shelf in any conventional manner. It Will be noted on examination of Fig. 2 that the lower ends of chains I3 are offset laterally from the brackets II, preferably toward the ends of the shelf as illustrated. This is done in order that the rings 23 will not interfere with the latching arrangement which holds the shelf I2 in the folded position indicated by broken lines in Fig. l.

To hold the shelf I2 flush with the Wall I6, or door I5, when the wardrobe is folded, the upper ends of the brackets II are reversely bent as in dicated to provide spring hooks 25 which engage the inside of the beaded edge I8. The resiliency of the brackets and the shape of the hooks 25 is such that it is an easy matter to pull the shelf I2 away from the brackets when desired and yet the shelf is firmly secured when moved to a vertical position.

In addition to giving the illusion of a picture frame, the beveled edges of the shelf I2 have a functional characteristic in that they permit conventional coat hangers such as the two indicated by broken lines in Fig. l to hang over the beaded edge I8 without striking the bottom of the shelf I2 and allowing sufficient clearance for support of garments on the hangers. This is particularly important for it permits the shelf to be constructed to have substantial depth so that articles placed thereon are not likely to fall off and still permits hangers to be hung on the edge I8.

When the shelf is to be folded against the wall a relatively large number of hangers can be stored inside of the shelf out of sight yet readily available for use when desired. This makes the device of this invention particularly useful as an auxiliary wardrobe which can be hung in an entrance hall of an apartment, for exam-ple, appearing to be a decorative painting. Should a number of guests arrive, the shelf can be quickly unfoldedl and the hangers stored therein used to hang a large number of coats on the edge of the shelf, hats and other articles being supported by the top of the shelf.

The wardrobe has also proved very useful in semi-public places such as restaurants where it may be used in waiting rooms or in dining rooms as an auxiliary wardrobe to be used at such times when other facilities are used to capacity. The wardrobe also is quite useful in house trailers, ship cabins, or any quarters lacking adequate conventional clothes closets.

When the shelf I2 is folded the flexibility of the chains I3 permits them to hang completely inside the shelf where they are out of sight and yet occupy very little space. If desired of course conventional arms having a hinged center joint can be substituted for the chains I3, but the chains have proved to be most satisfactory.

To facilitate mounting the brackets I I, whether on a wall or on the door hooks I4, keyhole slots 26 are provided which permit the support screws Il to be driven most of the way into the wall or the hooks. The Wardrobe is lifted into position and hung upon the screws I1, the screw heads passing readily through the enlarged portions of the keyhole slots. Once the wardrobe is supported by the screws, they may be driven the rest of the Way to hold it firmly in place,

If desired the wardrobe of this invention may be adapted to display an illuminated transparent picture by providing a rectangular opening in the fiat bottom in which the transparency is mounted. A false bottom is provided in the shelf spaced slightly behind the transparency and a tubular lamp is mounted between the false bottom and the picture. This embodiment makes a very effective night light, whether opened or closed, and the space above the false bottom is still available for hanger storage.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that a superior convertible wardrobe has been provided which is not only ruggedly constructed but also has a very attractive appearance, particularly when folded against the wall or door, and which otherwise fulfills the objects and advantages set forth herein.

Various changes and modifications in addition to those set forth herein such as will present themselves to those familiar with the art may be made without departing from the spirit of this invention, the scope of which is commensurate with the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A wardrobe adapted to be attached to a vertical surface comprising a pair of elongated brackets having spring hooks at their upper ends, a substantially flat shelf hingedly attached to said brackets at their lower ends, and means interconnecting the side of said shelf remote from said brackets to points near the top of said brackets for holding said shelf in a horizontal position, said shelf being foldable upwardly from said horizontal position to a vertical position adjacent to said surface, said hooks holding said shelf in said vertical position.

2. A wardrobe fixture or similar article comprising a tray member having a rectangular outline perimetrically fringed with an inwardly extending tubular bead, a plurality of mounting brackets aligned on one side of said tray member, each having a terminal portion rolled into a joui'- nal bearing concentric with and connected to one side of said tray member tubular bead, means vieron E. PrroN.

References Cited l!) the file 0f this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date D. 156,537 Kent et al. Dec. 20, 1949 110,197 Buchanan -V. Dec. 20, 1870. 457,270 Griffiths Aug. 4, 1891 507,233 Marshall 1 Oct. 24, 1893 544,588 Pattiani Aug. 13, 1895 895,905 Soraghan 1-1-11- Aug. 11, 1908 1,435,183 Shepherd Nov. 14, 1922 2,110,128 Kent 1.--- Mar. 8, 1933 2,433,247 Stowell n n-1h11.-- Dec. 23, 1947 2,492,230 Lichten Dec. 27, 194 

